Border rules get positive reviews

Although new border regulations could pose an inconvenience, some local businesses and officials said it could be better for business.

JENNIFER FUSCO

Although new border regulations could pose an inconvenience, some local businesses and officials said it could be better for business.

Starting Thursday, the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative will require travelers 19 and older to produce a passport, NEXUS card or other secure ID at the Canadian or Mexican borders. A driver’s license coupled with a birth certificate or other ID will be allowed until June 2009.

John Scarano, executive director of the Herkimer County Chamber of Commerce, said it’s worth the slight burden to have added security.

“I think it probably is a long time in coming, and if anything, it will help goods and services that need to come in here legally and not illegally,” Scarano said.

For local businesses exporting goods, it may be more cumbersome, but shouldn’t pose a problem, he said.

F.X. Matt Brewing Co. President Nick Matt said they have between 50 and 100 trucks that transport goods over the border a year, through a shipping company.

The new regulations likely will not change that, he said.

“I don’t know that it’s going to affect the shipping much — I don’t know, we’ll see,” he said.

Regardless, trucks are always backed up at the border going through customs, he said.

“It’s going to be the same difference,” he said.

Canadians still will come shopping at stores in the United States, despite any new regulations, said Paul Ziegler, president of the Oneida County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

“Those people get their passports because they can get better bargains,” he said. “I don’t think it’s going to affect us at all.”